The Shocking Truth Behind China's Ban on The Big Bang Theory

Summary

The Big Bang Theory's ban in China in 2014 came as a shock considering its massive popularity and viewer base in the region.

China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television did not offer a specific explanation for the ban, which also encompassed other American TV shows. However, after a year-long prohibition, The Big Bang Theory was eventually permitted to return to Chinese airwaves under the condition that full seasons would undergo review prior to broadcasting.

During its peak, The Big Bang Theory faced a ban in China, and the reasons behind this decision are as follows. Initially premiered in 2007, the show did not immediately gather a significant following, despite eventually becoming one of the most successful sitcoms of the last decade. Due to this, CBS executives requested co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady to revise the pilot, resulting in several changes to the cast. Eventually, The Big Bang Theory found its winning formula through the ensemble of characters, contributing to its ultimate triumph. Not only did the sitcom achieve immense popularity in North America, but it also attained significant success in various international markets.

The remarkable fame of The Big Bang Theory can be attributed to its impeccable timing. The show debuted when comic book movies and the overall culture around nerds began to gain mainstream acceptance. This shift was exemplified by Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight films and the inception of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of Iron Man in 2008. Additionally, the advent of the internet facilitated global connectivity, making it easier to spread the word about The Big Bang Theory. International channels started broadcasting the show on local live television, including China initially, until it was eventually removed from their airwaves.

The Big Bang Theory Was Banned In China In 2014

The sudden ban of The Big Bang Theory in China in 2014 came as a shock, especially considering its already established popularity in the country. Prior to this, American TV series had been well-received in China, with shows like Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and 2 Broke Girls gaining a significant following. However, The Big Bang Theory surpassed all expectations, accumulating over 1.3 billion views, indicating a substantial portion of the Chinese population was engaged with the sitcom. But in April 2014, the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) in China suddenly banned The Big Bang Theory, as well as other shows like The Good Wife, NCIS, and The Practice, leading to the removal of episodes from popular streaming sites such as Sohu TV, iQiyi, and Youku.

SARFT's Reasoning For Big Bang Theory's Ban Was Unclear

Youku, a video site spokesperson, stated that they were instructed to remove The Big Bang Theory and other mentioned shows from their site. Conversely, an anonymous senior manager from a different company mentioned that they were directed to "clean their website." Despite calls for clarity on the action from SARFT, no response was received. Notably, while The Big Bang Theory's broadcast was halted, more controversial series such as Breaking Bad and House of Cards were allowed to continue airing online.

Following public criticism, SARFT eventually provided a vague comment on the matter, as per the US Department of State's official website. According to SARFT, they banned The Big Bang Theory and similar shows due to either copyright issues or the violation of clause 16 of the rules of online broadcasting. This clause prohibits pornography, violence, and "content that violates China’s constitution, endangers the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, provokes trouble in society, promotes illegal religion, and triggers ethnic hatred." However, SARFT did not specify which rule specifically The Big Bang Theory violated, leaving the reason for its ban uncertain.

What Could Be The Real Reason For The Big Bang Theory's China Ban?

The Big Bang Theory's ban in China nearly a decade ago remains a mystery, with various theories emerging to explain the incident. One popular hypothesis suggests that the Chinese government wanted to limit the influence of Western culture on its people, considering their careful curation of entertainment. However, this reasoning is contradicted by the fact that other American programs were still allowed to be broadcasted. Another possible reason for the ban is the show's immense popularity in 2014. Some claim that the Chinese government did not want the rise of the show's nerd and geek characters to become a trend. Supporting this idea is a 2013 survey which found that a significant majority of individuals aged 24 to 34 identified themselves as "diaosi," meaning "loser" or poor, girlfriend-less geeks. Instead of motivating these young adults to strive for change, The Big Bang Theory allegedly encouraged them to embrace their nerdy inclinations.

China's Big Bang Theory Ban Was Eventually Lifted

The Chinese ban on The Big Bang Theory was eventually lifted due to a widespread outcry from Chinese fans. SARFT's inability to provide a clear reason for blocking the show fueled the people's movement to protest its suspension. After over a year, the ban was lifted in July 2015 but with some changes. According to Fortune, all full seasons of the show had to be submitted for review before they could air, resulting in episodes being subjected to scrutiny. When The Big Bang Theory resumed airing in China, it continued where it left off. While it had already finished airing season 8 in the US by May 2015, Chinese viewers didn't start watching until July 2015. SARFT had to watch all 24 episodes before they could be aired. This process remained the standard until the show ended with season 12 in 2019. Despite the significant delay in broadcast, this setup was still preferable for Chinese fans compared to having no access to the sitcom at all.

Source: Time, The Guardian, US Department of State, South China Morning Post, Fortune